Things to do
Horse riding
Chase the waves andfeel the wind in your mane.
With miles and miles of golden sands to gallop, it’s no wonder riders are drawn to Holkham Beach.
Together with Natural England, we welcome responsible and respectful horse riders to enjoy the wide open expanse of the beach within this internationally important National Nature Reserve.
We kindly ask that you exercise care and consideration, to keep yourselves, your horses and other beach users safe.
In addition to the beautiful sandy beach, there are areas that are special for wildlife that are vulnerable and easily disturbed and damaged, which we wish to protect.
Please check the times that you can ride before you come, to avoid disappointment and see the safety points below, created with the British Horse Society.
We have created a brand new bridleway for 2024, to help keep you and your horse safe.
Before taking the reins
Help us to protect the reserve’s fragile habitats and wildlife by adhering to the following:
- Before you arrive, check whether riding is permitted at this time and check the tide times. Avoid the beach at high tide and be aware of areas that may be cut off by an incoming tide
- Park your trailer or horsebox in the designated area and pay the parking charge
- Know where you can ride on the beach. Follow waymarked access routes and use the map
- Ensure you bring and use a saddle, riding hat and a Hi-Vis vest. Please also bring a mobile phone to stay contactable
- Please leave your dog at home
The bridleway and route to the beach
Our bridleway, brand new for 2024, will help to keep you and your horses safe, as it avoids the need to ride through the busy Lady Anne’s Drive car park. Instead, it runs alongside the car park, and is for horses and riders only. Please also adhere to the guidance here:
- No pedestrians or dogs are allowed on the bridleway at any time. Any pedestrians attempting to use the bridleway will be turned back
- Go slow. Do not gallop, canter or trot along the bridleway. Please keep to a walk at all times. Close the bridleway gates to prevent a loose horse from escaping
- Follow the route. Access the beach from Lady Anne’s Drive by following the bridleway and the waymarker signs and posts. This route takes you safely through the dunes and developing, fragile salt marsh that can so easily become damaged. Horses may be ridden on the sand foreshore but below the hide tide mark
Protecting habitats and wildlife
Holkham Beach and the National Nature Reserve are very special places. As well as offering beautiful scenery to enjoy, they’re also thriving landscapes burstign with wildlife. Help us to protect, maintain and enhance these areas by following the guidance below.
- Do not take a dog with you whilst riding
- Always avoid disturbing wildlife and plants, paying particular attention to dunes, salt marshes and estuaries. Many of these areas are for wildlife conservation. Do not disturb birds feeding at low tide, particularly during adverse weather conditions
- At certain times of the year, small areas of shingle are fenced off to protect ground nesting birds. Avoid shingle ridges, even when there are no fences
- Riding is not permitted on the sand dunes, shingle ridges, saltmarsh or within the pines. There is strictly no access for horses across the Burnham Overy Channel to Scolt Head Island. Do not ride beyond the start of the beach huts at Wells
Opening times
Due to the number of visitors to the beach, at certain busy times we introduce restrictions on weekends and holidays for horse riders.
Thursday 28th – Sunday 31st March: Arrival between 6-9am (leaving the car park by 11am) and from 2pm (leaving the car park by 5pm).
Monday 1st – Sunday 14th April: Arrival between 6-9am (leaving the car park by 11am) and from 4pm (leaving the car park by 7pm).
Saturday 4th – Monday 6th May: Arrival between 6-9am (leaving the car park by 11am) and from 4pm (leaving the car park by 7pm).
Saturday 25th May – Sunday 2nd June: Arrival between 6-9am (leaving the car park by 11am) and from 4pm (leaving the car park by 7pm).
Every weekend in June: Arrival between 6-9am (leaving the car park by 11am) and from 4pm (leaving the car park by 7pm).
Monday 1st July – Tuesday 3rd September: Arrival between 6-9am (leaving the car park by 11am) and from 4pm (leaving the car park by 7pm).
Monday 28th October – Sunday 3rd November: Arrival between 6-9am (leaving the car park by 11am) and from 4pm (leaving the car park by 7pm).
Please be sure to check the tide times when planning your visit.